When you start out on the Appalachian Trail, you don't have to hike all the way to Georgia or Maine. But the point is, you could.

Shenandoah National Park offers some of the best hiking trails on the East Coast. The famed Appalachian Trail, more than 2,000 miles long, cuts through the heart of the park - but that's just the centerpiece to a large, lovely network of trails.

The park's Web site, shenandoah.national-park .com, lists 15 different "self-guided nature trails." Each is identified by length, the average time it takes to navigate it and the elevation gain upon the trail. The Blackrock Summit, for example, is an easy 1-mile trail that only goes up 125 feet, while the Overall Run covers 6 miles and has a 1,200-foot increase in elevation.

Because of the park's layout within the Blue Ridge Mountains, just about every trail provides a wonderful view of rocky outcroppings or waterfalls.

The beautiful views, of course, begin even before you enter the park, because you arrive via Skyline Drive - a road so scenic that travelers will visit the area just to drive on it. Take the opportunity to stop at a couple of the overlook spots along the road. A family photo on Skyline Drive makes a memorable Christmas card.

Once you've reached the park, you get to decide what trails are right for you. If you're with young children, you might want a simpler trail - shorter, smoother and with less elevation. More ambitious? Pick out a trail to challenge your legs and your lungs. And if you're a seasoned hiker, you can get really adventuresome.

The park is designed for a hiker's convenience. Each trail is marked with a color code on the trees that identifies its purpose - "hiking only," for example, or "hiking and horseback riding." The Appalachian Trail is marked with white, and the park's outer boundaries are marked a red-orange shade.

A day of hiking in the park provides a fascinating education in many fields of natural science - in addition to the waterfalls, mountains and trees, Shenandoah National Park is full of wildlife. The most common sighting is the Virginia whitetail deer, but you'll also see wild turkeys. (The park rangers will also caution you to keep an eye out for black bears, including the very wise advice to use a zoom lens rather than trying to get in close to photograph a bear.)

Whichever trails you choose and whatever scenic views you choose to pursue, there's a strong likelihood that your first visit to Shenandoah National Park won't be your last.

After all, the park covers 200,000 acres. That's a lot of space to explore.

Route 211 is a winding road going up into the mountains. It's beautiful and fun, but it's tough on people who tend to get motion sickness. Take whatever precautions you deem necessary.

Check the gas tank in Fredericksburg. After you go through that town, you won't find many gas stations the rest of the way, and you don't want to run out in the mountains. If you're traveling with kids, make a pit stop in Fredericksburg just to be safe.

Watch out for ticks. It's a good idea to use tick repellent, and the park rangers recommend that you tuck your shirt into your pants and your pantlegs into your socks. When you're done hiking, always check yourself, and if you find a tick, carefully remove it with tweezers. You can always check with a park ranger about questions on how to treat a tick bite.

Get a map. They're available throughout the park, and they're invaluable. If you get turned around on one of the trails, or if you decide to take a little detour, or if you just want to know what's out there, the trail maps are your guide. Follow them, pay attention and you won't get lost. (When you start out on a lengthy hike, make a note on the map of where you started or where your car is parked.)

It should go without saying, but there are always people who forget. Take water - or a sports drink or whatever you prefer to keep yourself hydrated. If you didn't bring any, then buy some at one of the park's stations. Especially when the weather gets warm, the hills and trails in Shenandoah National Park will take their toll on you. Bring drinks and snacks, and bring some sort of bag or knapsack to keep your trash.

Directions

From Interstate 64 West, exit onto Interstate 295 toward D.C., then pick up Interstate 95 North. At Fredericksburg, exit onto Route 3 headed west. After you go about 30 miles to Culpeper, pick up 522 North and go about 20 miles to Sperryville. Take 211 North for about 20 miles until you reach Shenandoah National Park.

From the Peninsula: It's a pretty good trip - almost 200 miles each way, and it will take about four hours. Once Busch Gardens opens for the season, make sure you leave early enough to avoid that morning traffic along I-64.

Eats: Check out the Panorama Restaurant, at milepost 31.5. The name says it all. It's open for breakfast and lunch, for dining in or carrying out. (Never pass up an opportunity to eat outside at the park.) There are at least a half-dozen places to eat within the boundaries of the park.

If you want to spend the night: Why not camp out? The park has several good, family-friendly campgrounds for under $20 per site. They don't have hookups for water or electricity, but most have showers and campstores. Call ahead to reserve a site.

Similar destinations

Looking for other day trip destinations for hiking? Try some of these:

Cumberland State Forest. Some of the best hiking in the Piedmont region, including the trails of Bear Creek Lake State Park. The whole area provides a firsthand education about ecology and conservation.

Eastern Shore. The Chincoteague National Wildlife Reserve has a lovely wooded setting right on the Atlantic Ocean. You'll see lots of birds and animals here, and the educational centers will actually make the learning fun for your kids.

Outer Banks. Aside from the beaches, this North Carolina region has great hiking. Check out Buxton Woods or Nags Head Woods Preserve. There are also hiking trails at Jockey's Ridge State Park, which is always a great place to visit.

For the kids

The park is great for kids. What child doesn't like to be outside doing things in the woods? Kids of any age will benefit from the fresh air and exercise, and the park has excellent learning facilities as well. Spend a day hiking in the hills, and the kids will sleep well at night.

This is a continuing series of stories, running every three weeks, exploring day trips for Hampton Roads residents. Up next: Our final installment, scheduled for April 8, will feature the Assateague Lighthouse on the Eastern Shore. More Day Trip stories

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